Sedation Dentistry – Gahanna, OH
Helping Patients Feel Comfortable in the Treatment Chair
Dental anxiety impacts countless adults across the globe, keeping them from accessing important preventive dental care and treatments they need to keep their smile intact and healthy. Our team wants each of our anxious and fearful patients to feel at-ease when they visit us, but we realize that’s easier said than done for many patients, which is why we offer sedation dentistry in Gahanna, OH. With nitrous oxide, oral conscious, and IV sedation, we can help settle your mind, allowing you to have a more enjoyable experience.
Why Choose Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna for Sedation Dentistry?
- Fast-Acting Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- Experienced Dental Team
- Understanding & Friendly Dentists
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Also referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is one of the sedation options utilized to help patients who struggle with dental anxiety, nervousness, or fear during an appointment. This sedative combined with oxygen can be inhaled through the nose and cause a person to feel significantly calmer and stress-free while undergoing their treatment process. One of the best things about this option: the recovery period is incredibly short! Keep reading to learn more about nitrous oxide sedation or give us a call today to see if you’re eligible for this service.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Perhaps the biggest reason someone would require nitrous oxide before getting dental care is if they’re experiencing a significant amount of dental-related stress or anxiety. Though this is the mildest form of sedation dentistry, it can effectively lower a person’s nervousness and allow them to feel more relaxed while sitting in the dentist’s chair. Whether you’re anxious about dental tools and needles or you’re unable to sit still, nitrous oxide is a quick and reliable way to make your visit a more pleasant experience. Additionally, since it’s the mildest form of sedation, it is safe for patients of all ages. Of course, we’ll need to review your medical history and evaluate your overall health to determine if you’re eligible for this method.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide sedation is administered as soon as you get comfortable in the treatment chair, before your procedure. Our team will place a small mask over your nose that will allow you to breathe in a colorless, odorless gas. Within a couple of minutes, you’ll feel a calming wave of euphoria wash over you. While the sedative is not designed to make you fall asleep, some patients feel so relaxed that they can end up feeling drowsy or slightly doze off. Even so, you’ll be able to still respond to simple commands and questions that your dentist might give even while under sedation.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Once we complete the treatment, we’ll remove the mask, and the effects should dissipate just as fast as they took place. While this typically means that you won’t need to worry about downtime after inhaling the sedative, our team will still want to monitor you for a few minutes to ensure you are completely free of any grogginess so that it doesn’t interfere with your daily schedule. Once we’ve confirmed that you’re all set to go, you’ll be able to carry on with the rest of your day as you normally would.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For those who want a stronger form of sedation while undergoing dental treatment, oral conscious medication might be a viable option. Whether you need help relaxing while in the dental chair or are preparing for an upcoming extensive procedure, this method of sedation dentistry can provide greater comfort for a more pleasant experience. Here is what to know about oral conscious sedation and how we determine if you’re eligible for the treatment.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
While dental care is important for maintaining a great smile as well as improving your overall health, some people may struggle with moderate to severe dental-related anxiety. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also prevent someone from getting the necessary treatment for preserving their teeth. Oral conscious sedation is a more powerful medication that can help a patient relax without having to breathe in nitrous oxide. It involves taking a pill ahead of their appointment so that they can be stress-free when it's time for their procedure.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Before your appointment, we’ll provide you with a single pill to take if you opt for oral conscious sedation. By the time you arrive at our dental office, you’ll feel more relaxed, and we’ll be able to treat any lingering oral health issues quickly and efficiently. One of our trained team members will also monitor your vitals during your procedure so that we can ensure your safety and comfort. The effects of oral conscious sedation can linger for hours after your appointment, so you’ll need to be prepared to have a trusted friend or family member drop you off and pick you up from our dental office.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Our team will simply need to thoroughly evaluate you and your situation to determine if you’re a good candidate for oral conscious sedation. In many cases, you might qualify for this treatment method if you:
- Struggle with moderate to severe dental anxiety
- Have difficulty getting numb from local anesthesia
- Experience a sensitive or strong gag reflex
- Have difficulty sitting still for extended periods
- Experienced past dental trauma
- Require multiple treatments or an extensive procedure in a single visit
Of course, we will review your medical history and any current medications you might take to help us see if you’re eligible for oral conscious sedation. We’ll want to ensure that the medication is safe for you before going forward with your planned procedure.
IV Sedation
For patients who are undergoing in-depth procedures or who have severe dental anxiety, we also offer IV sedation. This is when we’ll administer the sedation medication directly into your bloodstream, causing you to immediately feel like you’re asleep and at ease. Many patients who undergo IV sedation don’t remember a thing about their appointment, which can be a huge benefit for patients. Continue reading to learn more about IV sedation, who makes a good candidate, and its benefits.
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation, as the name suggests, is delivered directly into the bloodstream. This means that the patient feels the effects of the medication almost immediately. Someone getting IV sedation remains awake throughout the entire procedure, but probably won’t remember much due to the deep state of relaxation that they are in. During the procedure, we will closely monitor the patient’s vitals to ensure that they are perfectly safe. After the procedure, the effects of the medication will take some time to wear off, so it’s important to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
IV sedation is mostly used for oral surgeries and longer procedures. It can help to lessen high levels of anxiety associated with dental treatment or the dental office. Additionally, IV sedation is a great option for those who have a sensitive gag reflex, TMJ dysfunction, or neuromuscular issues that can make it challenging to keep their mouth open for long periods. Before the start of your procedure, there will be a discussion of anxiety levels, health history, and medications to rule out any possible complications.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
Numerous benefits can be experienced through IV sedation. Here are some of the most common ones that our patients report.
- Quick: The effects set in very quickly because the medication is administered intravenously.
- Constant: We control the flow of medication, giving patients a constant state of relaxation.
- Amnesia: IV sedation prevents additional stress-related memories associated with the dentist.
- Dental Care: Patients with dental phobia and other issues can receive the essential dental care they need for their smiles to thrive!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
The fact is that sedation dentistry is very safe for dental patients. After all, dentists tailor their sedatives to ensure your care goes smoothly.
For example, most people handle nitrous oxide sedation without issue. It’s to the point that nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is viewed as the safest dental sedative! Whether you’re an adult or a child, this sedation option shouldn’t do your body any harm at all.
More crucially, dentists confirm whether a sedative is safe for you during your consultation. They’ll review your medical history and medications to see if negative interactions would occur. That way, you’ll only be given a sedative with little to no risk to your body.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
How sedation feels to you will depend on the sedative you receive. Based on the type and dosage level, what a patient experiences can vary a bit.
Say you undergo nitrous oxide sedation, for instance. You’ll likely feel somewhat light, mildly relaxed, and euphoric in that case. Some patients even have giggle fits, hence the sedative’s nickname of “laughing gas.”
With oral conscious sedation, you’ll have an even deeper sense of relaxation. You could even have difficulty staying awake – some patients doze under its effects. There’s also a good chance you’ll feel time pass faster than usual.
Admittedly, IV sedation’s effects are very similar to those of oral conscious sedation. The main difference is that they’re more amplified under the former method.
How long does dental sedation last?
Similar to how it feels, how long dental sedation lasts depends on the sedative. Some of these medicines can persist in your body longer than others.
All in all, nitrous oxide wears off very quickly. Its effects usually fade once you stop inhaling the gas for a few minutes. That means you’ll be well enough to drive soon after treatment, all without lingering drowsiness.
In contrast, oral conscious sedation can “last” for a whole day. Its effects tend to persist up to 24 hours after your procedure. Therefore, don’t drive or operate heavy machinery while you wait for it to wear off.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
You shouldn’t feel any pain while under dental sedation and its effects. On the contrary, sedation dentistry should make your treatment comfier and smoother than it’d be otherwise.
You see, dental sedatives – no matter the type – suppress your ability to feel pain. They temporarily alter your body’s chemistry so your brain can’t register much discomfort. Therefore, the most you’ll “feel” during care is pressure as the dental team works.
Depending on the procedure, a dentist could also numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. This medicine would prevent any pain during your care.